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First impressions are always the most important. The atmosphere is established even before the show begins by the people who meet and greet the public, selling them programmes and raffle tickets.
A dedicated team is needed to undertake this task and on occassion you may even get to wear a costume too. |
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| Pre Show |
| During the run up to the show the Front of House manager gathers a team of people, which may vary over the different nights, to help with the selling of programmes, raffle tickets and (in a touring production) selling teas and coffees. It will also be necessary to obtain prizes for the raffle. These are usually donated by members of the group or sometimes local businesses / organisations. For the touring productions, at village halls, it is necessary to make sure that, not only is there sufficient; tea, coffee and a balanced assortment of cakes brought to sell but fundamental items such as; cups, saucers and a tea caddy are also on hand. (And that is speaking from experience). |
| On The Night |
| The team needs to arrive, smartly dressed (occasionally costume is required), at least an hour before the performance to set up. The Front of House Manager will have obtained a float from the treasurer and will distribute change amongst the team so those people who only have a £20 note can still buy a programme. One member of the team will be assigned the challenging task of selling raffle tickets to the cast. The challenge being to try and obtain money from scantily clad men and women who are running around in a panic because; Auntie Betty is in the audience, they took their costume home to wash the previous night and didn’t bring it back and there’s only 12 minutes ‘til curtain up. |
| For some of the larger productions a raffle may be held at rehearsals as well. If so, this would usually be done by members of the front of house team. Tea and coffee at rehearsals, however, is dealt with separately. |
| My Benediction To The Tea Lady |
| This, in my opinion, is one of the most important rôles within the group, as well as the most underrated. Not even is it listed in our programmes anymore. Yet where would we be without someone to serve us refreshment at half time? To whom would we go and chat when we were not on stage? Who is always there to offer a helping hand and friendly advice? So to all you tea ladies and laddies out there I say be proud of the job you do and to all the directors who take this rôle for granted I say take notice and give thanks.
And I don’t even drink tea. |
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